Cycad Society of South Africa: Branch activities

As promised in the March 2004 issue of Encephalartos, the final itinerary for the yearend function is published in this issue of Encephalartos. I would like to make the following comments as an addition to the itinerary.

At meetings held at the Northern Province Cycad Working Group it was found that there where difference in the forms of the following Encephalartos species. E.nubimontanus, E.laevifolius and E.transvenosus. Some of these different forms were previously discussed in the Encephalartos magazine. Since then new varieties of these species were discovered. The three persons that shall be discussing these differences have made a thorough study on these species and are knowledgeable on the subject. There will be a colour booklet on the topic available at these lectures, the cost of which will be announced at the meeting.

The lecture presented by Prof Nat Grobbelaar would be one of the highlights of the outing, as you all know he is one of the worlds most knowledgeable persons on the species Encephalartos, and his talk should be something to look forward to. His latest book Cycads will be offered at a special price during the weekend. The Afrikaans version Broodbome will also be available by the same author.

Mr. Karl Bischofberger is a one of South Africa’s leading cycad evaluators and his latest monetary value list will be supplied and discussed at the meeting. This discussion will take place after Prof. Nat’ lecture.

Of all the botanical gardens in Africa the one we shall be visiting in the Lowveld has the largest variety of cycads on the continent. We shall be met by an official of the Lowveld Gardens, and given an outline on the layout of the cycad population.

On Sunday afternoon a raffle will be held of Cycad seedlings, everyone will be welcome to participate in this raffle. Raffle tickets will be sold at R20.00 each during the weekend by members as published on the itinerary. Duplicates of the tickets will then be drawn, whereby the holder of the drawn ticket may choose any one of the seedlings presented at the raffle. The raffle will continue until all the plants are taken. The income generated at this raffle will go to the TVL Region of the Cycad Society, and will be used to finance future outings, and make them more affordable to participants. Finally I want to ask all participants of this weekend to contribute cycad seedlings to make this raffle possible. It will not be held against you if you have no seedlings to donate, you can still participate in the raffle.

On Monday we shall visit a few local gardens in the White River / Nelspruit area. This subtropical area is most suited for gardening; therefore you can be assured that these visits will be a worth your while.

To minimize confusion and double booking, each participant of the weekend will have to make their own booking at the:

Ingwenyama Lodge & Conference Centre
Date: Friday night 6August 2004 to Monday 9 August 2004 (National Woman’s Day)
Rates per person sharing Bed & Breakfast R185.00 each
Dinner, Bed & Breakfast R245.00 each

Rates per single per single person Bed & Breakfast R270.00 per person
Dinner, Bed & Breakfast R330.00 per person

If you are prepared to share a room with other weekend goers, the staff of the Ingweyama Lodge will arrange it. The above prices include Tea breaks and conference facilities.

Telephone: 013-751-3493
Fax: 013-751-2166
Web-site: www.ingweyama.co.za
E-mail : ingweyama@mweb.co.za
Contact Person, Christelle Cell: 082-493-7817

Banking information
Account Name: Ingwenyana Lodge
Standard Bank cheque acc. No. 030383005
Brach code 053052

VERY IMPORTANT: Bookings must be made before 6 July 2004. Participants will be accepted on a first come first serve basis.

If you have any inquiries concerning the weekend please do not hesitate to contact me at
Telephone 013-262-4226
Fax: 013-262-2465 or
Cell: 083-701-3482

John Kloppers cycad@mweb.co.za

	Transvaal Region of the South Africa Cycad Society Itinerary of the weekend to the Lowveld, Whiteriver/Nelspruit
6 Augustus 2004	Friday afternoon/evening
	Book in at the Ingwenyama Lodge
	Supper is available and can be taken at your own cost.
	Raffle tickets can be bought until Sunday afternoon from the following persons Derik Minnaar, John Kloppers, Hanneke Grobbelaar, Phil Grobler, en Charles de Beer

7 Augustus 2004	Saturday
#	Breakfast from 7h00 tot 9h00
	Morning lectures in the Conference Hall
	Lecture 1: 9h00 to 10h30: Prof. Nat Grobbelaar gives a general view on cycads
	His latest book "Cycads" will be available at a special price.
	After Prof. Nats lecture Mr. Karl Bischoffbergers, Cycad price list will be discussed.
	The list will be available to participants.
#	Tea will be served until 11h00
	Lecture 2: Up until 13h00 Dr. Gerrie de Haas will discuss the differences in the forms of E.transvenosus.
#	Lunch will be served until 14h00
	Afternoon lectures in the Conference Hall
	Lecture 3: 14h00 to 15h00:Ben Jordaan will discuss the differences in the forms of E.nubimontanus
	Lecture 4: Up until 16h. Dr. Diekie de Klerk will discuss the differences in the forms of E.laevifolius

	Evening braai and get together at the Lodge

8 Augustus 2004	Sunday
#	Breakfast from 7h00 to 8h00
	8h15 Depart for the Lowveld Botanical Garden where we will be received by an official of the Garden. We will be free to stroll around the Garden until 12h00.
	Lunch will be taken the Botanical Garden at your own cost.
	13h00 We will return to the Lodge
	15h00: The raffle will be held in the Conference Hall.
	16h00: A meeting will be held where points of interest between the three Cycad Regional Societies will be discussed. Acknowledgements will be expressed to the lecturers of the conference.

#	Supper will be served at the Lodge

9 Augustus 2004	Monday - National Woman's Day
#	Breakfast from 7h00 tot 8h00
	Private gardens in the White River and Nelspruit areas will be visited throughout the day. Participants will be responsible for their own lunch, we will stop at a Take-Away for this purpose. You can participate as long as you like, or return home when ever it suits you. If you feel like staying over for one more night you must just make sure that you make arrangements beforehand with the staff of the Ingwenyama Lodge. For more details see the attached letter that accompanies this itinerary.

The Transvaal Region of the Cycad Society of South Africa Year-end function held in the Lowveld (6-9 August, 2004)

The Transvaal Region of the Cycad Society of South Africa
Year-end function held in the Lowveld (6-9 August, 2004)